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Walker Stalker Con Boston 2017: Talking walkers, faith and everyday life with Seth Gilliam

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Back in the Summer I was able to navigate the herd of lumbering craze filled zombie fanatics that occupied the famous Westin Hotel in Boston and get a few moments with man behind the apocalyptic collar for The Walking Dead: Seth Gilliam.

Graphic Policy: I am here for Graphic Policy to interview the talented Seth Gilliam who currently plays Father Gabriel on AMC’s The Walking Dead and I thank for you time today, first off how was the flight into Boston?

Seth Gilliam: Well actually it was delayed but I’m hoping things roll on more positive as we go.

GP: I hope that for you as well. So for those who are unfamiliar with your work, you play Father Gabriel on the hit show The Walking Dead. 

SG: Yes I do.

GP: You play a very interesting character who has gone through a tremendous arc since he was introduced. That is the fascinating thing about The Walking Dead is not necessarily the Zombies themselves or walkers, but rather the people and what they go through. You actually play a priest. So I wanted to know, Are you a man of faith yourself?

SG: Yes. I do believe in God. I don’t know if my faith is called into question to the level that Father Gabriel’s has been though.

GP: Interesting. Would you say there is anything so far on your time filming this show that has helped you or you now apply to your every day life?

SG: Hmmm. Not really. It’s not like my every day life is chock full of dead people or anything. So in that respect there is not too much from the show you can apply to everyday life. It’s not like MacGuyver where I would learn how to make a bomb out of a toothbrush or shoe laces with a spoon or nothing like that. (chuckles) I don’t really know if daily affirmations apply in the role I play.

GP: Were you a fan of this genre before you got assigned to play this character? Was it something you sought out and wanted to be a part of?

SG: Actually I’m not really a big horror fan. Or a big gore fan. I’m pretty squeamish actually. I guess I would prefer Sci-Fi. I really like kitchen sink dramas above and beyond. The Walking Dead though is really like a kitchen sink drama once you remove the walkers. It’s about a bunch of people and where they go from where they start off. I mean it is not like a soap opera and where events get sped up to the extreme. However The Walking Dead does sort of fast track people because of the walkers and their situations it does speed it up a little more than normal.

GP: What does being in Fan Fest and not necessarily you being a fan of the genre but rather the people and the atmosphere. What does it mean to you?

SG: This is actually pretty cool. It feels like before I’d be invited to a party and they’d be like hey “Who is that guy?”  Now it’s like I am me and me is my costume and to see people react to it the way they do and the level of excitement that they have for the genre, it’s like anything else. I mean looking at these lines and how it makes people feel reacting to the films they’ve seen or the tv shows they’ve seen the energy is so fantastic. It’s been really upbeat and really positive and everyone seems happy to be here, and I kind ride off their energy especially if you been working long or your flight’s been delayed.  (laughs) You just got to settle into town and wait to see the energy of the people that they bring to you, you know it is pretty cool.

GP: In other words, it’s special.

SG: Yeah it really is.

*Greg Molina: I have just one question,  from a youth empowerment perspective what can you speak to about people facing their fears and anxieties?

SG: You know it’s a horribly confusing experience growing up. I know it was for me. I tried and took solace in acting. It was something I could focus on. It was something I could I do and build my sense of self worth and self esteem. I think it is important for kids to try and find one thing, just one thing they can relate to, that you can make your own and throw yourself into when things get overwhelming or chaotic it certainly is helpful. If there is anything, dance, writing, drawing, acting anything that is a creative outlet. Especially if it is something you can call your very own that you can withdraw yourself into to fortify yourself as you step outside and deal with crazy world around you.

GP: This was great sir and thank you for your time.

SG: Thank you very much as well.

Question with * was asked by Greg Molina of YCE Young Culture Entertainment @youngcultureent

Walker Stalker Con Boston 2016 : Capturing the monster magic with Tate Steinsiek

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It’s always better when a picture comes together. At Walker Stalker Con 2016 in Boston, at the beautiful Westin Hotel, I got to see just that. Among all the makeup booths and cosplay sets ups that were a main part of the weekend’s populace, I noticed one that really stood out.

It was the work booth of horror effects guru: Tate Steinsiek. What I got to see was something very impressive and unique. At this booth patrons and fans in attendance could be part of quite an other worldly transformation. Here normal men and women, boys and girls, could take themselves out of their daily lives and become something far different then when they arrived.

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As I was sitting there mouth agape at the monster-esque magic being performed in front of me, I was honored to be able to speak to the creator himself who was more than happy to answer any question I had and was extremely pleased at the interest being drawn from spectators.

We talked about his humble childhood beginnings and experiences in this past under appreciated field as well as his passionate advice and plans going forward for the genre.

Graphic Policy: So Tate, I just wanted to thank you for your time today to do this interview.

Tate: No worries, happy to do it.

Graphic Policy: As an introduction, in my research I dug up a cool little anecdote that I think people and readers will find very interesting. This is about when you were younger in preschool your parents had to be called in because you were seen drawing something that’s shall we say, very out of the “norm” for where you were located..

Tate: (chuckling) This is true..

Graphic Policy: Would you care to tell us what it is you drew and what type of reaction it brought?

Tate: Yeah man, sure. Well I’m from the Bible belt right in Oklahoma. This is where it’s Southern Baptist everything and you know what’s good and what’s evil. The odd thing even as a kid before I’d ever seen a horror movie I was always drawing monsters. So my poor parents couldn’t figure it out and my teachers just assumed that my parents were letting me watch all these horror movies. Then they called my parents in for a meeting and they were like “Yeah so Tate’s drawing these creatures with horns and teeth biting the heads off his classmates and we think you should really stop letting him watch horror movies.”  My parents then told them they didn’t let me watch horror movies at all. It was quite perplexing. With that being said giving my interests I figured I had one of two career paths, make up or serial killer. So I think I went the right direction. (laughs)

Graphic Policy: I would say everyone here today would certainly echo that sentiment. With that being said, as a child once you were drawing that stuff was it always in your head that you were going to pursue this? Was there other avenues you considered? 

Tate: Good question. Growing up in Oklahoma it’s pretty void of film industry, so it was all sort of imaginary at that point. What I could do was draw. Honestly I thought I was going to end up being a comic book artist. I really wanted to get into (movie) effects. Unfortunately I never got to experience anything like a film industry. Then eventually when I became 20 or 21 I just picked up and moved out of Oklahoma and decided to move to the big city so I shipped on out to Boston, and started pursuing  a career. I got lucky I met the right people and continued to harness my craft and the rest is history.

Graphic Policy: Now speaking of the right people I know you got the chance to work with “The King of Splatter” Tom Sevini, what was that like and how did it help you?

Tate: Oh working with Tom (Sevini) is what made my career. I went to school for one semester and at the end of that semester, he told me pretty much that I was ready for the industry. He told me to get out there and he handed me a script. The script was called Zombie Honeymoon, and somebody had sent it to him and the directors name was Dave Gebroe. I went to New York to work on that script and I ended up living in New York for 10 years so it was pretty cool.

Graphic Policy: Safe to say you’ve relocated every where following your dream.

Tate: Yeah I’ve lived many places and had a bit of a gypsy life style. It’s been that way for me until the past couple of years. I’ve been able to settle down and plant some roots. So It’s nice to be able to actually invest in things like building a shop and it’s nice. Things are really going well.

Graphic Policy: Now having the chance to do the competition show Face Off on SyFy do you feel that was most beneficial platform for you to showcase your work?

Tate: Definitely. Being on Face Off changed my life. It took my artwork which is usually a behind the scenes sort of job and put it in front of everybody. It allowed me the opportunity to do things like this where I get to travel around and meet people who actually want to meet me.(laughs) It’s great I owe them a lot. I’ve been blessed.

Graphic Policy: Would you recommend this to any little kids out there who may want to do this as a career path who might have different upbringings and outlets as you had?

Tate: Sure I would. I would say that no matter where you grow up, that if you have the passion for it. Go do it. Regardless of surroundings it is always available to you. You might just have to look hard to find it and then work harder when you do but it’s so worth it. Nothing is unachievable. When I was 15 years old I was milking cows in Oklahoma. Now I’ve lived in New York, I’ve traveled the world and I’ve worked on films. If anyone shouldn’t have made it. It should have been me. I’m the testimony to what believing in yourself can do.

Graphic Policy: Well put. What is your all time favorite film?

Tate: An American Werewolf in London.

Graphic Policy: Great pick. An 80’s classic right there. Are there any artists out there that you follow today that still have an effect on you as you are constantly updating your style?

Tate: Well I’m a kid of the 80’s. So for me I’m always watching Return of the Living Dead, Creepshow, An American Werewolf in London. These are my go tos. It’s an influence I try and keep alive. I think that obviously the art has progressed and it has changed but I still think that era had some of the best designs. Some of the best ever. It’s where I feel comfortable. I will always be 80’s in influence.

Graphic Policy: So big (George A) Romero fan then?

Tate: Big time.

Graphic Policy: Lastly, did you ever think that something you loved so much would grow into what it is now and we would have conventions and events like this on a normal basis?

Tate: I never would have thought in a million years. If someone told me as a kid that one day the biggest TV Show in the world (The Walking Dead) would be zombies. I would have just laughed. You know what? I don’t see an end to it because finally people have quit sucking. They now admit when stuff is cool. Zombies are cool. I don’t see this going anywhere.

Graphic Policy: Awesome. Well thank you for your time and much continued success. I appreciate everything.

Tate: My pleasure bud.

Graphic Policy: So now I will finish watching you “corpse” this sweet little girl here. (laughs)

Tate: Absolutely. (laughs)

 

So there we have it. A master of quite an unlikely craft, but still very much a product of where he was raised. A true gentleman and willing to open up to anyone about their like minded interests. If you aren’t already familiar with his work, I strongly urge you to check it out and if you get to see Tate work in person , let me tell you it’s one Hell of a show.

Twitter – @illwilledFX

www.illwilled.com

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* Graphic Policy would like to extend a thank you to F. Rousseau Photography for the killer shots.

Walker Stalker Con Boston 2016 : Conversing with “The Governor” David Morrissey

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As I arrived at the beautiful Westin Hotel on the Waterfront in Boston for Walker Stalker Con, one thought, one mission was on my mind. I needed to hold congress with The Governor himself Mr. David Morrissey. Of course if one was to hold such a meet, then this venue was the optimum place.

So once I was checked in, I made my way to the escalators and took a long look around. This place of high ceilings and opulence was indeed a far cry from the high walls and heavily guarded security of the Woodbury community that I am used to seeing when it comes to dealing with this man.

Stepping off the escalator, as I neared the ballroom entrance their were two security guards in the doorway. I thought to myself “Ah this is more like it”.  After a brief exchange and check of the bag, I went on my way. The room was lit, but not too bright to keep a very appropriate atmosphere for those in attendance.

I quickly glanced around to survey my surroundings and it was a little overwhelming. There were booths for special guests as well adorned with proprietors for zombie survival equipment abound. Moments later I got my bearings and I saw the path to my goal. His line was right in front of me. I was there.

I have been wanting to meet this man ever since I first watched him on The Walking Dead. Every episode and scene he was part of was a captivating performance. I was a fan of the show before he arrived in Woodbury. His presence and what he brought to that story put it over the top for me though.

Inching ever so closer with each person that shook his hand, I found myself revamping in my head what exactly I was going to ask this man who is no doubt a stalwart master of his craft. The proof was right in front of me plain as day. Gone was the long imposing coat and shroud of The Governor. No longer present was the eye patch and stern scowl. No, there was a man who was smiling wide in appreciation for each and every single person he had the chance to be face to face with and each and every hand he shook. Now it was my turn..

Graphic Policy: So first off I just want to thank you for your time.

David Morrissey: No worries.

GP: You have done a lot of acting in the past. How does being on this show (The Walking Dead) compare to all your other work?

DM: Well you know, in terms of characterization and how you approach the work it’s no different than any other show. What is different is the writing is really good. So that always helps as an actor when the writing is so good. For me the big difference though is with a show like The Walking Dead, is it’s organization. It’s so well organized, it’s really well run. Every department is at the top of it’s game. As an actor when you feel that freedom and organization around you, that is the best thing for me. Do we have a lot of fun and stuff? Of course you do. We are never waiting around for anything. With other shows sometimes you are waiting around and you can get quite annoyed. On this show there is none of that so it’s really quite a joy.

GP: Do you prefer playing a hero or a villain?

DM: You know for me, it’s always about the writing. I don’t think anyone is all one thing. So you can’t truly say someone is all bad or all good. What makes the show so good is people have different aspects of those two extremes. Like Rick at times you wonder what he’s doing or going to do. Likewise with The Governor you get the sense, I mean he did do terrible things but you have moments where you wonder is he redeemable? Is he a nice guy? Could he ever change? So I think that is important as well.

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Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and The Governor (David Morrissey) – The Walking Dead – Season 3, Episode 13 – Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC

GP: To your point, since the writing is so involved and so deep, has working on this show taught you anything different about life and human psychology in general?

DM: No. I think where that comes from, at least for me is always about real life. It is always about the research I do into human nature. I think as an actor you’re always examining the extremes of human nature and what people go through. This show just makes you imagine extremes so you just have to tap into that. Really it’s more about your own imagination. As an actor, particularly of my age you’ve probably been in  a lot of different elements. You’ve done war movies, films about family relations, so you’re constantly putting yourself in the situation of people in upsetting circumstances. It’s sort have been a life long thing for me to learn, rather than just through The Walking Dead.

GP: Last but not least, do you think if there was to be a zombie apocalypse tomorrow, that you could channel The Governor in that situation?

DM: Eh probably not. When a human being is asked to perform an extreme, when things are happening, different things come out of you. You would never know how to behave. I think there are things in the world going on today that evokes that. It’s easy from far away to condemn people for behaviors when in reality, you don’t know what your own behavior would be until you are forced or when it’s your children who are in that situation. When it’s your wife or your kids being dragged off to who knows what. We would like to think how we would behave, whether in a brave way or a cowardly one. You don’t know. You just really don’t know. To me it’s really important not to condemn or judge people, until you been right there in those same shoes. That is the wonderful thing about acting is you get to put yourself in different peoples shoes. It truly is an empathetic craft and that’s what you have to do.

GP: Well put. Well thank you for your time. Have safe travels.

DM: No worries and likewise to you.

 

Well there you have it. I walked into the depths of Woodbury and walked out unscathed. Incredibly insightful and thought provoking stuff from a source who is no doubt a product of so much amassed knowledge. It was a pleasure and an honor to speak so candidly with a person of their craft whom I have much admiration for. I wish The Governor could come back, the show hasn’t been the same since his exit in my opinion. Great to see a man give so much back to his fans in such a genuine way. I will have an even greater appreciation for when I re watch those iconic scenes with him facing off against Rick and his crew. Great experience and I lived to tell the tale.